May 15, 2020 MBJ E-EDITION

• Electronic Security Firms • Financial Planning M S B U S I N E S S . C O M

| May 2 - May 15, 2020 | Vo. 42 • No. 10 • 24 pages

{Section begins P12} » Technological advances in electronic security systems growing exponentially » Cybersecurity awareness » Hackers and phishers haven’t taken a COVID-19 break and continue to be a major threat » MSU shares tips for a cyber security conscious workforce

{Section begins P18} » Business owners turn to financial advisers to stay afloat » Financial planning during the epidimic » Hancock Whitney donates $2.5 million to help the most vulnerable in South Mississippi

» MISSISSIPPI ECONOMY

SWIFT, DEEP DECLINES AHEAD » Page 2

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Mississippi Business Journal

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May 2 - May 15, 2020

Swift, deep declines ahead for Mississippi economy but rebound seen for 2021 Spring outlook for 30.4% drop in state GDP this quarter

By TED CARTER mbj@msbusiness.com

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he spring 2020 outlook for Mississippi’s economy is for a dire nearterm future as the coronavirus pandemic continues its ghastly spread.

By the time Mississippi rings in the New Year, around 73,000 of its residents will have lost jobs, for a 6.3 percent increase in overall unemployment and a decline of 5.8 percent in real GDP for the year.

The genuine shock is in the forecast of a 30.4 percent decline in Mississippi’s GDP for the second quarter, which began April 1.

The forecast is not entirely awful, however. The outlook is for economic growth to begin a rebound in the final two quarters of 2020 that would continue into 2021 and beyond. The downside is that the expected GDP growth of 3 percent next year would be half that of the national economy, says the spring 2020 Outlook report produced by the University Research Center of the Mississippi Institutions of Higher Learning.

Forecasts for declines in real GDP for Mississippi and the nation are close together, but the state’s 2021 recovery is projected to be far slower than the national rebound, according to the Outlook.

The 2020 forecast is for Mississippi’s GDP to fall off 5.8 percent. The decline in national real GDP is forecast to fall 5.4 percent for the year.

But by the end of 2021 and presumed successful reopening of the national economy, the U.S. GDP is forecast to grow by $1.1 trillion for a 6.3 percent increase. Mississippi, on the other hand, can expect its GDP growth to be 3 percent, the Outlook says.

Comparisons of GDP declines in the state and nation during the Great Recession of 2008-209 to today’s forecasts show how extreme this year’s economic damage is expected to become.

With the collapse of the national real estate market and a banking crisis, the U.S.

economy contracted 0.1 perboth the nation and state. cent in 2008 and 2.5 percent But the self-inflicted ecoin 2009, for a total decline nomic pain can be quickof 2.7 percent. That perly reversed, according to centage of GDP loss is Webb. “This matters,” he slightly less than half of the said, “because as the econodecrease in the U.S. economy is restarted, many will go my forecast for 2020. back to work. So, the staggerTED CARTER As unnerving as the 2020 ingly large initial unemployment forecasts for the state and nation claims will come back down rapidly.” may be, they are hardly at depression levFor Mississippi, real GDP is expected els, says Darrin Webb, Mississippi’s state to increase in this year’s fourth quarter economist.

(3 percent) and continue through all of “When you look at the projections for the 2021. national economy, we are nowhere near what “The depth of the recession will mean was seen in the Depression,” Webb said in an it still takes us time to get back to the email Tuesday. pre-recession level of output,” Webb

Webb noted there is no official definition of a depression, unlike a recession that is generally found to occur after two

quarters of GDP decline. Investopedia says depression is commonly defined as an extreme recession that lasts three or more years or which leads to a decline in real GDP of at least 10 percent.

Webb said he does not want to minimize the economic fallout from the covid-19 pandemic. “But I also don’t want people to have the impression that we are facing a depression-level future,” he said.

Nonetheless, the United States is in the largest economic contraction since the end of World War II, Webb noted.

It’s largely self-induced, the economist said.

In presenting the spring Outlook, state economists cite shelter-in-place measures and business closures to combat coronavirus spread. The restrictions, they say, are “wreaking havoc” on the economies of

said. “For the nation, I think that is late 2021. For Mississippi, it could be a good bit longer.”

Webb said he expects that despite the robust growth rates, effects from this recession will remain. People are likely to be very cautious about travel and being in crowded situations, he noted.

“It took two and half years before air travel returned to ‘normal’ following the 9/11 terrorist attack,” Webb said. “This could easily follow a similar pattern.”

Jobs will return as the GDP rebounds but the return could be agonizingly slow.

While Mississippi is projected to lose around 73,000 jobs in 2020, a decrease of 6.3 percent, this decline is considerably larger than the 4.5 percent decrease in employment in the recession year of 2009, the spring Outlook says. The Outlook says state payroll employment is expected to fall by about 20,000 jobs in 2021, a decline of 1.8 percent.

The roughly 93,000 total Mississippi jobs expected to be lost in 2020 and 2021 compare to the almost 62,000 jobs lost

from 2008 to 2010. Job growth is forecast to resume in 2022 as employment in Mississippi is expected to add 45,000 jobs, a 4.2 percent increase, according to the Outlook.

However, the report noted, that even with addition of the new jobs in 2022, total employment that year will remain about 48,000 hires below the 2019 level.

By way of history, the Outlook report noted, Mississippi did not surpass its 2007 level of total annual employment until 2019.

Nationally, the economic rebound is forecast to be far swifter – and larger – than in the years following the Great Recession. The forecast for 6.3 percent GDP growth nationally in 2021 contrasts with the recovery following the Great Recession as real GDP increased 2.5 percent in 2010.

The largest annual increase in real U.S. GDP since the end of the Great Recession has been 2.9 percent, reached in 2015 and again in 2018, according to the Outlook.

The rebound is expected to continue in 2022 as the U.S. economy is forecast to grow 4 percent. If the 2022 forecast is realized, it will mark the first time the U.S. economy has expanded by 3 percent or more in consecutive years since 2004 and 2005 when real GDP grew at annual rates of 3.8 percent and 3.5 percent, respectively, the Outlook says.

Webb said he thinks Mississippi’s economic picture would look far bleaker without the $1,200 federal stimulus checks to most adult residents and $600 weekly federal supplement added to state jobless benefits. “We estimate the state received $2.2 billion in stimulus checks and quite a bit more in the form of additional unemployment compensation,” the economist said. “I think these direct payments to individuals will help conditions from being far worse than they might otherwise be.”

May 2 - May 15, 2020

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Mississippi Business Journal

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Hotels treading water in Coronavirus tide The Mississippi delegation in the U.S House of Representatives has asked otels across Mississippi and the nation are treading the Treasury and Small water as they wait for the Coronavirus tide to recede Business Administration and the economy to fully reopen. for guidance on forbearOccupancy ranges from single digit percentages to low 20 ance of the loans. percentages, according to two lodging associations in Mississippi.

The first round of PPP Target occupancy rates are 60 to 70 percent “at the very funding 20,748 loans for least”, said Pat Fontaine, executive director of the Mississippi Mississippi’s small busiRestaurant and Hospitality Association, which nesses, including hotels, has about 100 lodging members. totaling $2.5 billion Revenue per room available was down for employee 70 percent for April compared with a retention and year earlier, said Linda Hornsby, execother expenses. utive director of the Mississippi Hotel Congress subPhoto by Jack Weatherly and Lodging Association, which has sequently voted » Homewood Suites will open in the summer in Fondren. more than 300 members. to provide addiued to expand year-over-year to 5,731 projects, or 706,128 Casinos, which line the coast and the tional PPP funding in the Paycheck Protection Prorooms, up 1 percent by projects and percent by rooms.

Mississippi River, are still closed and events gram and Health Care Enhancement Act. JACK WEATHERLY Those numbers, of course, were propelled by the nation’s are prohibited, Hornsby noted.

As of Friday, an additional 19,614 loans totaling $708.7 then-booming economy.

“We’ve seen it pick up a little” with the gradual resmillion have been approved for small businesses in MissisHowever, impact of the corona virus slowed activity and toration of full service at restaurants, she said. sippi, according to a letter signed by the delegation. since April the pipeline flow has contracted slightly less than The federal Paycheck Protection Program “has helped a lot of A survey showed that 79 percent of 900 respondents na1 percent by both project and room counts. our hotels,” providing up to eight weeks of pay, she said. tionwide were approved the PPP and/or the Economic Injury Developers with projects under construction have genBut it was not enough, in the view of the industry.

Disaster Loan program, according to the American Hotel and erally extended their opening dates by two to four months, Lodging Association. according to Lodging Econometrics.

More than 50 percent One project nearing completion is the Homewood Suites, of the recipients said the a 125-guest-room hotel under construction in Fondren by money was “not enough Ridgeland-based Heritage Hospitality Group. to rehire their staff.” ReChief Executive Officer Chico Patel said in September peated attempts to get 2018 that he expected completion by August 2019. the American Hotel and Patel said on Monday that the hotel would open in 40 to Lodging Association for 50 days. clarification on that point Patel said by email that “we are going to finish all existing were not successful. projects that were under construction. Some projects have Meantime, at the end been placed on hold but we are breaking ground on several of the first quarter of new ones at same time [and they] will open 12-14 months 2020, analysts at Lodg- from now. So by then [the] economic outlook should be ing Econometrics report way better . . . . that the total U.S. con“Our group now will turn to apartment and senior struction pipeline contin- living projects in wake of [the] downturn, too.”

By JACK WEATHERLY jack.weatherly@msbusiness.com

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Mississippi Business Journal

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May 2 - May 15, 2020

Stack of challenges await Delta Council annual meeting reset for fall Leaders cite progress on Yazoo backwater drainage effort

Through working with the Army Corps of Engineers and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, said ississippi Delta Gresham, “I feel we are Council, the remuch further along than gion’s 84-yearwhen I took over in June.” old non-profit economic The draindevelopment entity, will have age eff ort had no shortage of major challengTED CARTER been stalled es to address at its 2020 annual since the EPA in meeting. But avoiding the spread of the coronavirus will force a delay in the sever- the administration of President George al-day meeting until at least fall.

Customarily held at the end of May on W. Bush vetoed the the campus of Cleveland’s Delta State pumps. A Corps of University, the annual gathering of agricul- Engineers’ redesign tural producers, suppliers, manufacturers of the project has and businesses large and small has been more recently raised postponed to a yet-to-be-determined date hopes for a federal green in October, said Frank Howell, the Coun- light, Gresham said. “We’re very hopeful we can come to a solution.” cil’s executive vice president.

In its rejection, the EPA said the project The cancellation is only the third since creation of the Delta Council. World War carried too many harmful environmenII caused the first cancellation and spring tal consequences for the Sunflower Basin, flooding throughout the region in 2011 the including “unacceptable damage to these valuable resources that are used for wildsecond one.

The most immediate challenge is one be- life, economic and recreational purposes.”

The veto came after the EPA received yond anyone’s control – sustained rainfall more than 47,600 public comments. across the 19 Delta counties and non-Delta About 99.91 percent of them urged the northwest Mississippi counties the Council represents. Rains EPA to prohibit the project.

The Corps, however, recently issued a have been excessive since the start of the notice of intent for a supplemental enviyear and into the new ronmental statement and will be opening a planting season, ac- new comment period on its redesign. “We really feel like we have momentum now,” cording to Howell.

Farmers are plant- Howell said.

The approximately $220 million project ing, he said at the end of April, but frequent went dormant for several years and would rains have delayed have stayed that way if not for flooding last spring that left 500,000 acres of Delta the effort.

Gresham “We need some farmland submerged. Pump supporters, sunshine,” Delta Council President Tom including U.S. Sen. Cindy Hyde-Smith, a former Mississippi agriculture commisGresham said in a late April interview.

The Council would like to see an ad- sioner, have urged the Trump administraditional 200,000 acres in the South tion to take another look at the project Delta planted but first must prevail in a they say could have prevented the deluge.

“The South Delta has no other way to decades-long effort to gain approval for draining vast swaths of the Sunflower Ba- remove water or drain rainfall,” said Howsin. The idea is to pump out water and send ell, who directed the Council’s economic it via tributaries into the Mississippi River. development department before taking Progress on the effort dubbed the Yazoo over for a retiring Chip Morgan last year.

In the meantime, the Delta’s agriculturBackwater project marked the Council’s al producers are doing spring planting, but major achievement for 2019-2020, said Gresham, an Indianola petroleum busi- stiff tariffs on farm exports to China comnessman whose term as Council presi- bined with the covid-19 pandemic have dent ends on June 1. The Council will pick created a lot of uncertainty about markets Gresham’s successor from among current and crop prices, say Howell and Gresham.

“By all forecasts, they are going to reand former vice presidents.

“I would say as I look back on my tenure, I main low,” Howell said of prices.

Corn’s per bushel price on May 4 came feel we made great progress working on the in 4 to 5 cents below an April 30 price South Delta flooding issue,” Gresham said,

By TED CARTER mbj@msbusiness.com

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of $3.12. according to FarmProgress.com.

Soybeans on May 4 stood 4 to 5 cents below April 30’s $8.50 a bushel, FarmProgress reported.

With falling prices and uncertainty about market destinations, the federal government’s farm safety net is more vital than ever, according to Howell.

The nation’s agriculture, he said, must be included in whatever rescue efforts the White House and Congress take to counter the economic slump caused by virus-related

business and community lockdowns around the county.

Howell and Gresham are the founders of the four-year Delta Strong initiative to bring more manufacturing to the region.

Supported financially by counties, cities, Chambers of Commerce, businesses and individuals throughout the Delta, the effort seeks to use the collective resources to make the region a major player Howell in the attraction of manufacturing, distribution, and warehousing operations.

Distribution centers in Indianola and Clarksdale and hundreds of jobs they generated are early successes, Gresham noted.

“There’s also been several major expansions of industries that number in the thousands” in terms of new jobs, Howell said.

The pandemic has since waylaid additional Delta Strong recruitment but the Delta Council is confident it can reengage soon, according to Gresham. “The Delta has some great economic developers,” he said.

For now, said Howell, the Delta Council and other Delta Strong supporters have been working hard “with our existing manufacturers and businesses to assist them in this unchartered time.”

With significant help from the state, the Delta region has been doubling down on its workforce training efforts, Howell said.

Also, for now, the Council has put a strong focus on retaining businesses in the region, Howell added.

Transportation improvements, especially money for fixing highways and bridges, have been a top priority for several years but neither Howell nor Gresham is predicting significant progress, especially after years of failed attempts to persuade state government to raise the hundreds of millions of dollars Mississippi needs to catch up on transportation infrastructure maintenance. “We will continue to present this issue and advocate for the fairest way we know how to raise the necessary revenue,” said Howell, insisting an increase in a motor fuels tax last raised in 1987 is the preferred approach.

While some federal help might be possible, the Delta Council and other proponents of more state transportation dollars have not given up on coming up with other creative approaches to address maintenance shortfalls, Howell and Gresham say.

Looking ahead on both the pandemic and economic fronts for the region, Gresham said he is confident “over the next several months things will get better.”

Delta dwellers are resilient and have faced much adversity since settling the region well over a century ago, Gresham said.

“It is a very uncertain time across so many issues that effect business and agriculture,” Howell said. “We have just got to put one foot in front of the other.”

May 2 - May 15, 2020

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Mississippi Business Journal

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Banks operating in Mississippi have helped customers receive billions in SBA support

By BECKY GILLETTE mbj@msbusiness.com

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he first round of Payroll Protection Program (PPP) provided by the Small Business Administration resulted in 20,784 loans for $2.5 billion to Mississippi businesses and non-profits. SBA Mississippi District Director Janita R. Stewart said that represented an astronomical number of loans.

A total equal to 14 years of SBA loans were made in less than 14 days, Stewart said.

Hancock Whitney has helped to bring more than $2.4 billion to 12,000plus Gulf South businesses through rounds one and two of the SBA PPP. Of the PPP loans for which Hancock Whitney received approvals, 67 percent of the total number of loans approved are for loan amounts less than $100,000. More than 88 percent of these approved loans are for a loan amount under $350,000, ensuring the money was provided to the Gulf South’s smaller businesses.

“Our team mobilized quickly and has done an exceptional job processing thousands of applications in a very dynamic and changing environment,” said Hancock Whitney President and CEO John M. Hairston. “We were able to help our small business clients keep their teams employed and ready to reopen.”

Hancock Whitney Chief Operating Officer Shane Loper said the SBA‘s eTran loan-approval technology was designed for a steady and modest volume, and the PPP created a massive avalanche of volume. He said the SBA recovered quickly from this unprecedented volume and by the end of the first funding tranche had a relatively stable platform in place.

For the second funding tranche, the SBA put in place a “pacing process” at 350 loans per hour per bank to manage the volume on the SBA systems. As well, they provided banks with less than $1 billion in assets dedicated processing periods.

“The SBA also worked tirelessly to develop creative ways to reduce the volume on the SBA’s systems,” Loper said. “One creative solution was to allow banks with more than 5,000 loan applications to send those applications in a single data file for bulk processing. Hancock Whitney participated in that process, helping the SBA to reduce eTran volumes, and subsequently through all input processes gained approval for more than 12,000 loan applications for more than $2.4 billion dollars delivered to small businesses.”

Loper said more than 13 percent of businesses served by Hancock Whitney applied for and received a PPP loan, and all businesses that applied and kept a completed application active with Hancock Whitney have been approved.

“Our team mobilized quickly in the days leading up to taking applications and have done an exceptional job processing thousands of applications in a very dynamic and changing environment,” Loper said. “Hancock Whitney opted to have bankers directly interface with clients for the application process. Once we had the completed application, our bankers worked around the clock to input those applications into our automated system.

We had the capacity to process over 1,000 applications per hour in the second funding tranche. The SBA’s ‘pacing process’ limitations and the opportunity to send a bulk file facilitated one big delivery of approved applications for our small business clients.”

Loper said there is no doubt the program helped their small

business clients keep their doors open and people employed, which helped sustain their communities’ economies.

“We’ve seen businesses on social media attesting to the fact that their PPP loans have been the life preservers that have helped keep them afloat during the pandemic,” Loper said.

“For many small businesses facing the prospect of having to close permanently because of the financial impacts of the COVID-19 crisis, the PPP loans have been essential. The next step in the PPP process is loan forgiveness. Each bank that participated in the PPP program will process a forgiveness application for their borrowers. The SBA has published and frequently revises the PPP Q&A document on its website www.sba.gov. All small businesses should read this document and understand the SBA’s guidance to borrowers. As banks prepare for loan forgiveness, they will provide more information on the application process to borrowers. Guidance on loan forgiveness requirements should be published by the SBA in the coming weeks.”

If a consumer encounters financial difficulty because of the pandemic and feels they may not be able to pay a mortgage, Loper said they should work directly and proactively with their bank to determine what assistance may be available. Hancock Whitney maintains a special page at www.hancockwhitney.com/covid19 which includes timely updates on locations and hours of operation, fraud prevention tips, and resources and assistance such as certain fee and loan payment deferral options to help people and businesses affected financially by the novel coronavirus.

Hancock Whitney also continues to offer certain fee and loan payment deferral options to help people and businesses affected financially by the novel coronavirus. More information is available at www.hancockwhitney.com/covid19.

Another of the largest banks that does business in Mississip-

Stewart

Hairston

Leard

pi, Regions Bank, has also facilitated an impressive number of PPP loans, a total of $2.8 billion.

“We understand how important these loans are to small businesses and have substantially increased staffing dedicated to processing and fulfilling applications and automated as much of the process as possible,” said Regions Jackson Market Executive Robert Leard,. “We are pleased that additional funding has been allocated to support the PPP and we are continuing to accept new applications through our branches.”

Leard said they are all motivated by commitment to their customers. There is no doubt that the program has had many Regions associates working long hours and weekends over the past several weeks.

“It’s important to point out that we are here to serve our customers and communities in the difficult times, as well as, the good,” Leard said. “Under the CARES Act that authorized the PPP, all or some portion of the loan principal and accrued interest can be forgiven if borrowers use the loan proceeds for purposes that fully meet the forgiveness requirements issued

by the SBA. Given the modifications to the program since it was introduced, we are strongly encouraging PPP borrowers to frequently check information available at SBA website or at the U.S. Treasury site on the forgiveness portion of the PPP.” Leard said their bankers are also reaching out to customers directly to discuss their unique situations and how Regions can assist through an array of potential solutions.

“Regions has an established Customer Assistance Program and our bankers have many years of experience working with customers through natural disasters and market disruptions to address their specific needs,” Leard said. “We have a variety of assistance offers to help people and businesses affected by the economic uncertainty caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, including mortgage and loan payment assistance, fee waivers, and more.

Also, Regions Bank and the Regions Foundation have committed a combined total of approximately $5 million toward consumer and small-business recovery efforts related to COVID-19. Regions has a 15-state service area in the Midwest, South and Texas. It is one of the nation’s largest providers of consumer and commercial banking, wealth management and mortgage products and services.

Another major bank in the state that facilitated customers getting large amounts of assistance from the SBA was BancorpSouth.

“In the first round of funding, from April 3 to 16, we processed more than 8,500 loans, worth approximately $1 billion, to assist small businesses impacted by COVID-19,” said BancorpSouth Chairman and CEO Dan Rollins. “We’ve continued to see a high volume of loan applications in round two. As of May 11, we’ve provided a total of more than $1.2 billion to small businesses through more than 13,250 PPP loans. These loans are supporting over 160,000 jobs in our communities. This program was targeted to small businesses across America. The large majority of the PPP loans we have originated are to businesses with less than 10 employees. I am very proud our bank has been able to support so many of these small businesses.”

Rollins said their teammates – everyone from relationship managers to IT teams, worked around the clock to help us prepare for PPP. He said one thing that gave them an advantage was the implementation of an automation lending platform for end-toend processing of PPP loans.

“We were able to move applications through the process smoother and faster and help customers get the funds they needed,” Rollins said. “I would Loper never have imagined we would be able to process so many loans so quickly. But our teammates rose to the occasion and worked evenings and weekends to help process PPP loans for small businesses in need of economic support from COVID-19. I’m proud of the outstanding effort our team has done in such a short time. The dedication and commitment they exhibited to our customers and communities is the solid foundation our company stands upon each day.”

Customers through the entire process to ensure they understood how the loan program works. And customers were very grateful.

“We’ve heard from many of our customers who say the PPP loans are providing the necessary financial relief to help them meet their payroll, preserve jobs and keep their doors open,” Rollins said. “We were pleased to support our customers, especially during this difficult time. Small businesses are the lifeblood of our communities; therefore, we’re doing everything we can to provide resources and financial relief to help them survive the current conditions. With approximately 40 percent of our loans being under $20,000, it is obvious our bank is supporting the smallest of small businesses within our footprint.”

PERSPECTIVE May 2 - May 15, 2020 • www.msbusiness.com • Page 6

» INSIDE MISSISSIPPI

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Republican leaders make-up after week-long shootout

ollowing a week-long hormonal brawl and a legal week. The Senate adjourned without disposing of a motion shootout over who would control $1.25 billion in to reconsider on the hijack bill. This allowed legislators federal coronavirus funding, Mississippi’s top to back up, undo their takeover, and agree to work with leaders got together last Thursday saying, aw shucks, Reeves on spending the money.

Turns out Reeves likely wasn’t exercising unconstiwe didn’t mean it, we’re best buds. tutional power to begin with either, just inconsiderate It started with masked legislators hijacking control power. of the money from Gov. Tate Reeves. Lt. Gov. Delbert Hosemann and Speaker of the House Philip Gunn hastily Hosemann and Gunn had contended the state constiBILL CRAWFORD convened the Legislature amid the coronavirus, masks and tution gives the Legislature sole power to appropriate money, all, to block Reeves’ “unconstitutional” plans to spend money. making Reeves’ move to control the money under state code secReeves called out legislative leaders saying they were trying “to steal” tions 33-15-27 and 27-104-21, like Barbour did during Katrina, “unhis federal spending authority. constitutional.” They relied on a 2006 decision of the Mississippi SuFormer Gov. Haley Barbour, who controlled emergency federal dol- preme Court in a suit filed, ironically, by then Gov. Barbour. The court lars following Hurricane Katrina sided with Reeves. “I have been sur- ruled against then Attorney General Jim Hood for using a Jackson prised and disappointed to read reports that County court to appropriate tobacco some in our legislative branch of state govsettlement funds to tobacco education ernment are trying to disrupt and change how programs outside the legislative proMississippi has effectively responded to emercess. The court held that the constitugency situations for decades.” tion gives the Legislature sole “power Nevertheless, the masked legislators votof the purse.” ed nearly unanimously to take control of the However, in 2017 the Supreme money from Reeves. Or, they almost did.

Court ruled in another case that while Gunn followed up with a blistering shot at the Legislature does have core constiReeves, saying “you portrayed legislators as tutional authority over appropriations, thieves and killers. You said we ‘stole the monthe Governor “has the core power to ey’ and people would die, such cheap theatrics control the budget of state agencies,” and false personal insults were beneath the » From left: Philip Gunn, Tate Reeves and Delbert Hosemann. especially when the Legislature passes dignity of your office.” statutes authorizing such actions.

Reeves then got President Donald Trump involved, with the White House No doubt the public rancor could have been avoided had Reeves issuing a statement saying he wanted governors to control the money. considered input from Hosemann and Gunn at the beginning.

Then came Thursday with its social distancing hug-around.

It will be interesting to see if this kumbaya moment can last.

“Get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger, brawling and slander, along “It is critically important that we, as a state, come together during with every form of malice. Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving these challenging times,” Reeves said.

Somebody with big boy political sense must have yanked a knot into one another, as God in Christ forgave you.” – Ephesians 4:31-32. the three Republican leaders.

Oh, and it turns out legislators didn’t quite finish their business last » BILL CRAWFORD is a syndicated columnist from Jackson.

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Mass evictions can be avoided if landlords and tenants communicate

themselves aware of laws, rules, and he month of reckonregulations regarding evictions as ing is at hand for they may be superseded by commany landlords and ments in this column. Nevertenants. Big decisions will theless, these remarks should be have to be made. Landlords considered as a general guidewill have to decide whether line on the handling of evictions. to evict or not, and tenants Landlords and tenants may first will have to decide whether want to check the CARES Act. It or not to pay rent. Governphil hardwick applies to properties that are subject ment at all levels has stepped in to a federally-backed mortgage loan from to make the decisions for many. For others, Fannie Mae, Freddie Mac or the federal govthere are many factors to consider. ernment. It also covers properties that parBecause of the rapidly-changing situaticipate in government assistance programs, tion, landlords and tenants should make

including but not limited to: housing choice voucher programs, Section 8 project-based rental assistance, rural housing programs and the low-income housing tax credit program. A good summary can be found on the National Housing Law Project website at: https://www.nhlp.org/wp-content/upload s/2020.03.27-NHLP-CARES-Act-Eviction-Moratorium-Summary.pdf Nationally, almost half of residential renters rent from individual landlords who own from one to 10 properties. According to See EVICTIONS, Page 7

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May 2 - May 15, 2020 | Volume 42, Number 10

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Reeves tries to balance concerns of health, jobs

ississippi Republican Gov. Tate home has risks,” Reeves said Friday. “Going Reeves is having to balance his to a salon has risks, but we’re trying to put libertarian-leaning instincts with measures in place to minimize those risks. public health concerns during the coronavi- We recognize also that the spread of the virus pandemic. rus has risks. The spread of the economic It’s been his job the past several weeks to collapse has risks.”

Reeves spent eight years as state treaorder some businesses to temporarily surer and eight as lieutenant govclose and to restrict people’s faceernor before being inaugurated to-face interactions to try to as governor in January. He slow the spread of the highly has consistently advocated a contagious virus. His statelimited role for state governwide “shelter in place” order ment. Legislators cut several remains in effect until May 25. thousand jobs from the state Reeves is gradually letting government workforce when businesses reopen even as numReeves had a big role in writing bers of confirmed COVID-19 EMILY WAGSTER budgets as lieutenant governor. cases and deaths continue to rise.

PETTUS Fairly early in the pandemic, Reeves said Restaurants could start serving food and drinks their dining rooms and patios last he’s concerned about people facing “abThursday, after more than a month of being ject poverty” because of job losses. It’s a limited to carry-out service or deliveries. Bar- phrase he has not often used in speeches bershops, beauty salons and gyms are allowed or interviews during 16-plus years of servto start reopening next Monday. They all must ing in public office in a state that has been meet safety standards such as limiting cus- one of the poorest in the U.S. for genertomers and taking extra steps for sanitation. ations. During news conferences about The governor has said repeatedly that COVID-19, Reeves often mentions peopeople should use their own best judgment. ple who are having to file unemployment “If you are in the vulnerable category, claims for the first time in their lives.

The governor says his top adviser during if you are over the age of 65, if you have pre-existing conditions, getting out of your the pandemic is the state health officer, Dr.

EVICTIONS

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various news reports, many of the landlords are saying that they haven’t heard from their tenants even though they have attempted to get in touch with them. Many tenants are simply afraid because they have lost their jobs and do not have adequate income to pay rent or they are choosing not to pay rent out of fear. That is a mistake.

Renters who live in multifamily developments, i.e. apartments, apparently will make April payments as normal. According to the National Multifamily Housing Council (NMHC), 91.5 percent of professionally managed apartment households made a full or partial rent payment by April 26 in its survey of 11.5 million units of professionally managed apartment units across the country, up 2.8 percentage points from April 19.

Regardless of what type of housing they live in, tenants who cannot pay their rent should contact their landlords and be upfront with their situation and why they cannot pay. In California, there is even a form on the Attorney General’s website for tenants to complete and mail to their landlords.

Tenants should be honest and resist using misleading or frivolous tactics. Once upon a time, I heard a get-rich-quick promoter tell people how to handle creditors if

debtors were behind on their bills. He said borrowers should tell the creditors that they were behind on their bills and couldn’t make all their monthly payments. Tell the creditor, he said, that all the borrower’s bills had been placed in a fishbowl and that each one would be pulled out and paid in the order that it was pulled out. If the creditor was not willing to work with the borrower, then the borrower would not put their bill in the fishbowl. That’s cute, but risky and not recommended.

Landlords should handle delinquent tenants on a case-by-case basis. Although it is tempting to adopt a one-size-fits-all plan such a strategy will probably result in more defaults and evictions. Landlords will have to weigh any and all factors before making a decision to evict.

Real estate is not a so-called perfect market. However, it does respond well to supply and demand over time. Mass evictions would have an effect on the market.

The life cycle of mass residential evictions might look something like this: The tenant can’t pay and is evicted; The landlord/owner can’t pay the mortgage; The mortgage servicer can’t pay the property taxes and the insurance; The lender forecloses on the loan and takes ownership of the now-vacant property; There is an oversupply of vacant properties;

AP Photo/Rogelio V. Solis

» Republican Gov. Tate Reeves questions if lawmakers followed the state constitution and their own rules when they passed a bill May 1, that takes control of the federal CARES Act money, during his daily update on the state's response to COVID-19, Monday, May 4, 2020, in Jackson, Miss.

Thomas Dobbs. He is also listening to business executives and to people who express concerns about the economy.

Reeves frequently says that restarting Mississippi’s economy is not like flipping a light switch from off to on but like using a dimmer switch to go from dull to bright.

He emphasizes the role of personal responsibility, saying that people should mostly remain home and that they should wear masks in public, keep distance between

Rents are lowered, resulting in lower property values; Investors begin buying foreclosed properties at bargain rates.

Vacant properties are back on the market, with new owners.

Most of the guidance mentioned above applies to commercial tenants as well.

Hardest hit is the retail industry, which pays a lot of rent to commercial landlords.

» RICK NOBLE

themselves and others and avoid taking the whole family to the grocery store if possible.

“If we do not want to return where we were several weeks ago, with more businesses closed and more shelter-in-place — I have to ultimately make that decision,” Reeves said last week. “But the thing is, the people of Mississippi can make that decision first — if the people of our state will be smart, if they’ll stay safe.”

Reeves said city and county law enforcement officers have done “a fantastic job” of enforcing safety orders during the pandemic, and state law enforcement officers are available to help them. As more businesses reopen, Reeves said the best enforcement of safety standards will come from within.

“The number one person that it is going to enforce this is the person that is actually opening the business. It’s the employees. It’s Mississippians. It’s people who care about not only themselves, but about their fellow man,” Reeves said. “I am convinced that the industries that we are reopening are going to do a better job of monitoring it themselves than any governmental entity ever will.” » EMILY WAGSTER PETTUS has has covered Mississippi government and politics since 1994. Follow her on Twitter: http://twitter.com/EWagsterPettus.

Best case scenario: We get through this by working together. Worst case scenario: Homelessness increases, commercial spaces become vacant, landlords and investors/ lenders declare bankruptcy.

As difficult as it may be, it’s time to communicate. » PHIL HARDWICK is a regular Mississippi Business Journal columnist. His email address is phil@philhardwick.com.

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U.S. Supreme Court takes on Insanity

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n March 23, 2020, capacity prong, thus restricting while the average the insanity defense to cogniAmerican pointed tive incapacity. If convicted, fingers over the spread of the defendant could argue COVID-19 and reassessed moral incapacity as a mitihis or her own mortality, a gating factor in the sentencsequestered U.S. Supreme ing phase.

Court quietly released four Before and after trial, opinions. In keeping with the ben williams Kahler’s lawyers unsuccessfultimes and deviating from tradition, the ly argued the U.S. Constitution’s 14th opinions appeared only online rather than Amendment mandated the moral incabeing first announced ceremoniously in a pacity test be allowed as part of an insanity robed ritual. defense. After again losing at the Kansas One opinion, Kahler v. Kansas – a tale Supreme Court, the convicted murderer of murder, conviction and death sentence filed a petition for writ of certiorari with – offers us a deep, philosophical read while the U.S. Supreme Court. we shelter at home.

The diaphanous difference The murders Distinguishing moral and cognitive inThe quadruple familia homicides in- capacities, Justice Kagan presents an exvolved no whodunit mystery. Over a ample of the murderer who acts on “an Thanksgiving weekend, Kraig Kahler, insane delusion that God had ordained the 45, shot and killed his estranged wife, 44, sacrifice.” Under the M’Naghten Rule, the two of their three children, ages 16 and 18, defendant has absolute immunity because and his wife’s 89-year-old grandmother. though knew what he was doing, he could Newspaper reports of the trial paint a not tell right from wrong. Not so in Kanwoebegone tale involving the wife’s same- sas since the delusional defendant had the sex partner, a depressed husband, physical intent to commit a crime. abuse, a marriage separation, side-taking, Justice Breyer proffers a head-scratchand the husband’s loss of a job, all culmi- ing elucidation: “In Prosecution One, the nating in a botched Shakespearean tragedy accused person has shot and killed another devoid of humor or hero. person. The evidence at trial proves that, as In the sentencing phase of the trial, the a result of severe mental illness, he thought defense attorney told the jury: “In this the victim was a dog. Prosecution Two is state, we don’t kill the mentally ill.” The similar but for one thing: The evidence at jury deliberated 55 minutes before recom- trial proves that, as a result of severe menmending the death penalty. tal illness, the defendant thought that a dog ordered him to kill the victim. Under The legal question the insanity defense as traditionally underThe Court’s opinion naturally gives stood, the government cannot convict eishort shrift to such detail and depravity. In- ther defendant. Under Kansas’s rule, it can stead, as is its proper role, the High Court convict the second but not the first.” examined questions of law.

The Court took up a single ques- The U.S. Supreme Court’s ruling In the 6-3 ruling, perceived-libertion: “whether the Constitution’s Due Process Clause … compels the acquit- al Justice Kagan again joins the five tal of any defendant who, because of conservatives and authors the opinmental illness, could not tell right from ion, holding for the State of Kansas wrong when committing his crime.” that the Due Process Clause does not require a State recognize the Sound easy? moral incapacity test. Kagan obThe law in most states served that a violation of due proFor most of our country’s history, all cess would occur only if a state rule states followed the two-prong M’Naght- “offends some principle of justice so en’s Rule from Great Britain, which ex- rooted in the traditions and cononerates a criminal defendant if his illness science of our people as to be either prevented him from (1) recognizing ranked as fundamental.”

Kagan eloquently and his criminal acts were morally wrong – the “moral incapacity test” or (2) having the succinctly describes the requisite mens rea (intent) for a crime – limitations of Constitutional law: “Dethe “cognitive incapacity test.”

In 1995, Kansas eliminated the moral in- fining the precise

relationship between criminal culpability and mental illness involves examining the workings of the brain, the purposes of the criminal law, the ideas of free will and responsibility. It is a project demanding hard choices among values, in a context replete with uncertainty, even at a single moment in time. And it is a project, if any is, that should be open to revision over time, as new medical knowledge emerges and as legal and moral norms evolve. Which is all to say that it is a project for state governance, not constitutional law.”

In an easy-to-skim-past footnote, the Court left open the unargued question whether the Eighth Amendment (prohibition of cruel and unusual punishments) might compel a state to offer the moral incapacity defense.

The dissent Breyer’s dissent, joined by Justices Sotomayor and Ginsburg, points to “[s]even hundred years of Anglo-Saxon legal history” and “basic principles long inherent in the nature of criminal law” to conclude Kansas “eliminated the core of a defense” that is a fundamental right protected by the Due Process Clause.

Mississippi connections Many Mississippians learned of the M’Naghten Rule from John Grisham’s first work of fiction – a self-published novel titled A Time to Kill. Young, solo-practitioner Jake Brigance (played by Matthew McConaughey in the movie) leaned heavily on a M’Naghten defense and the legal research of Ole Miss law

student Ellen Roark (played by Sandra Bullock). Grisham allegedly named the book after the tedious days he spent as a state legislator at the Mississippi Capitol.

The opinion doesn’t cite A Time to Kill, but Breyer points to a Mississippi Supreme Court decision from 1931 finding unconstitutional a state legislative intent (pre-Grisham) to completely abolish the defense of insanity. That case does not purport to address a legislative attempt to merely eliminate one of the two components of the traditional insanity defense.

Wrap-up Readers longing for a Supreme Court that rights all perceived wrongs suffer another setback. This Court recognizes its limited role in democracy and gives deference to co-equal branches and the sovereign States.

While courts and legislatures may change the law, one aphorism I learned in law school has stood the test of time: Honesty may be the best policy, but insanity is a better defense. » BEN WILLIAMS, the author, is a Mississippi attorney. Email Ben at Ben2020MS@gmail.com. » FORD WILLIAMS, the artist, is a senior at Savannah College of Art & Design (SCAD) in Georgia.

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Restaurants take advantage of resumption of dining in

By JACK WEATHERLY jack.weatherly@msbusiness.com

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estaurants are taking advantage of the loosening of pandemic restrictions.

Gov. Tate Reeves announced last week he was allowing more people to dine in starting May 7, as long as restaurants do not exceed 50 percent of seating capacity.

The idea is to leave room for social distancing, a major part of precautions, along with deep desanitizing to fight the spread of the deadly and highly contagious virus that began in China and has spread throughout the world.

Mississippi’s total of presumptive cases of Covid-19 stood at 9,908 after the Mississippi Health Department reported 234 newly identified cases on Tuesday.

There have been 457 total deaths reported.

Confirmed corona virus cases in the United States reached 1.31 million on Tuesday, as various states and countries moved ahead with reopening plans.

About 80,000 Americans have died from the disease.

At the same time, the shutdown of the nation’s economy has thrown it into a deep recession, thus the need for reopening it to slow or stop the downward spiral.

Pat Fontaine, executive director of the Mississippi Restaurant and Hospitality Association, said that most eateries that did not shut down altogether have been relying on curbside pickups and deliveries.

Looking to the immediate future, Fontaine said, “Help is still an issue.”

Unemployment pay and additional

money from the federal government must be considered, he said.

The federal bonus of $600 a week for up to four months is seen by some as a disincentive to returning to work. The money is part of the $2 trillion stimulus package.

Texas and Georgia expanded the dine-in option a few days ago and outside seating is “the more popular choice,” Fontaine said.

Restaurants in the city limits of Jackson will have to wait till May 15 to expand the dine-in option because of Mayor Chokwe Antar Lumumba’s decision.

Natchez will wait till the end of May to offer that option, Fontaine said. The Oxford Board of Aldermen decided last week to wait to act on that option.

At least two other of Mississippi’s largest towns – Hattiesburg and Natchez – decided to wait before opening restaurants.

Meantime, the Mississippi Coast, which accounts for about one-third of the state’s tourism revenue, will see restaurants take advantage of the latest order from Reeves.

Gus Harris, owner of Cajun Crawfish in Long Beach, said that “everybody is pretty excited.”

“This is high season for crawfish,” Harris said.

Biloxi Mayor Andrew “FoFo” Gilich said on the city’s website that “we know everyone is anxious. We’re anxious, too, but we want businesses and their customers to adhere to these responsible precautions.”

Gulfport, the state’s second-largest city behind Jackson, likewise is taking advantage of the new ground rules, ac-

Trustmark: 1Q Earnings Snapshot

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rustmark Corp. (TRMK) on Tuesday reported first-quarter net income of $22.2 million.

The Jackson, Mississippi-based bank said it had earnings of 35 cents per share. Earnings, adjusted for non-recurring costs, came to 40 cents per share.

The results fell short of Wall Street expectations.

The average estimate of four analysts surveyed by Zacks Investment Research was for earnings of 42 cents per share.

The holding company for Trustmark National Bank posted revenue of $188.8 million in the period. Its revenue net of interest expense was $172.3 million, which beat Street forecasts. Four analysts surveyed by Zacks expected $153.6 million.

Trustmark shares have fallen 25% since the beginning of the year. In the final minutes of trading on Tuesday, shares hit $26.02, a decline of 26% in the last 12 months.

» Mark Shapley opens the door for David Kaufman at MM Shapley's.

cording to Lashaundra McCarty, communications director for the city.

Back inland, Mark Shapley, owner of MM Shapley’s in Ridgeland, said the steak house is taking advantage of dining in because of the preexisting arrangement of many tables separated into booths.

The restaurant shut down on March

Photo by Jack Weatherly

13 and started relying on curbside service for a week, Shapley said.

4Top Hospitality is reopening its Ridgeland eateries – Sombra, Anjou and Amerigo – and its Amerigo in Flowood, but not Saltine, which is in the Fondren District of Jackson, which will not reopen till May 15.

Renasant: 1Q Earnings Snapshot

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enasant Corp. (RNST) on Tuesday reported first-quarter net income of $2 million.

The bank, based in Tupelo, Mississippi, said it had earnings of 4 cents per share. Earnings, adjusted for non-recurring costs, were 20 cents per share.

The results missed Wall Street expectations.

The average estimate of six analysts surveyed by Zacks Investment Research was for earnings of 55 cents per share.

The holding company for Renasant Bank posted revenue of $167.7 million in the period. Its revenue net of interest expense was $144.2 million, surpassing Street forecasts. Five analysts surveyed

by Zacks expected $143.7 million.

Renasant shares have dropped 26% since the beginning of the year. In the final minutes of trading on Tuesday, shares hit $26.20, a drop of 25% in the last 12 months.

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Expert tips for working remotely

» SPIN CYCLE

By TODD SMITH mbj@msbusiness.com

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ow are you doing in our remote work, social distancing, quarantined world? I know it’s been a great exercise in adaptability for the workforce and students across the world in our coronavirus era. Lindsey Pollak, a speaker and author of “The Remix,” together with her assistant, Eileen, who have succeeded in a remote work environment for more than five years, recently shared tips on making the most of our new work environment in a piece for Inc. magazine.

Communication • This is a default advice on communication in general – especially in multigenerational teams – but it’s even more important when you are working remotely.

• Know your employer’s remote work policies. Your HR department probably has a handbook or guidelines on working during a crisis, including remote work policies, procedures, and expectations. Now would be a really good time to read this.

• Managers, tell your team how they can reach you. If you manage people, be clear with them about any new or different communication and productivity expectations you have now that your team is working remotely. Should they call, email, text, Zoom, IM, Skype, Slack, WebEx, WeChat? Don’t assume they know.

• Tell your team when they can reach you.

Do you want people to check in with you first thing in the morning? Send a daily or weekly update on what they’ve been working on? The more guidance and boundaries you provide, the fewer misunderstandings will

do the same before dialing in occur and the more smoothly to a group conference call work can stay on track.

• Make sure to clarify exwhen everyone is remote.

• Create your video stupectations for your team. dio. Videoconferences are Connect with key colcommonplace for remote leagues around commuworkers. Make sure to nication, work priorities, have a professional or plain and success metrics. Will background behind you and everyone be expected to todd smith dress and groom professionally work the same hours? Will all of the same projects and plans be moving (at least the parts of you that others will forward? Don’t let people make assump- see onscreen). Check that you have adetions about anything that’s unclear — quate lighting and a decent microphone (most earbuds work just fine). answer those questions.

• Note your project progress. Remote • Create a system for sharing documents. workers need to be especially proactive If you don’t already, now would be a good and alert colleagues to progress on lon- time to consider Google Docs, Box, or ger-term goals. For instance, you might Dropbox to share files. Don’t scatter send a daily email with a list of projects team files across email, Google Docs, and that have advanced that day. your personal hard drive. Consolidate.

• Resolve issues quickly with a phone call.

Zoom call, email, text, IM, Slack, and Self-Care other written methods of communication • Cut yourself some slack. Working from are prone to misunderstandings. When home can be a big transition. You might you sense this is happening, be quick to feel any combination of lonely, isolated, stressed, frustrated, anxious, unmotivatpick up the phone to resolve issues.

• Promptly return emails, calls, and ed or – on the other hand – relieved, voicemails. Keep in mind that people relaxed, energized, or productive. It’s all tend to be more aware of time when OK and normal. Any transition takes working remotely. Fair or not, a col- time to get used to, so try to be easy on league might find a four-hour response yourself. time to an email much too delayed when • Take scheduled breaks. Try setting an he or she is picturing you sitting at your alarm to get up and stretch every hour or so. (Standing desks, which at home desk at home all day.

• Keep up more casual communication may mean perching your laptop on top habits. If you normally catch up with col- of a bookshelf, also pay large dividends leagues in person before a big meeting, for overall health.) Walk around your home while chatting on the phone with a friend. Move to a separate area – away from your screens – to eat lunch for 30 minutes. Breaking up the day and moving your body enables you to refresh and can increase your productivity when you return to your work. When the weather is nice, I like to do conference calls while

taking a walk outside.

• Protect your time. The concern many managers have about their employees working from home is that remote workers are really just doing laundry and bingeing Netflix. Set “in office” hours and communicate them with both colleagues and family.

• Protect your workspace. Talk to family members or roommates about the hours you are working from home and the ground rules during those hours. Assume that anything that can interrupt you will interrupt you – like a UPS delivery during a critical negotiation call or a dog barking in the background of a client video chat. Be as proactive as you can about avoiding these kinds of incidents.

• Turn on a white noise machine or app.

This really helps to reduce noise distractions around your work area.

• Pay attention to ergonomics. Use the most comfortable chair you can with back support. Also consider investing in a hands-free headset. At the very least, pop in your earbuds for long phone calls.

I learned the hard way that sitting in a wooden chair balancing a landline phone between my chin and shoulder was not a sustainable situation.

Remember to keep up exercise routines, wellness and nutrition as you continue to adapt to this new reality, while maintaining social distancing.

Touchdown Mic: Virtual NFL Draft Was a Huge Success!

The NFL draft – held virtually from Commish Roger Goodell’s basement, and streamed from homes of coaches See EXPERT TIPS, Page 11

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The wrong time to expand Medicaid

ealthcare is complicated. But these individuals already have access to during the current coronavirus a vast array of other government welfare outbreak, healthcare policy goals programs, such as SNAP (food stamps), are very simple: How do we increase the Obamacare health insurance exchange covsupply of healthcare for those who need it erage, and the federal earned income tax most? And how do we increase access to credit (EITC). The federal government healthcare to those who need it fully funds each of these three promost? Right now, the real chalgrams. lenge is prioritizing very limConsider also that subsidized ited healthcare resources. health insurance exchange The people who need care coverage is already available the most are, obviously, to people who earn between patients who are suffering 100 percent and 400 percent life-threatening complicaof the federal poverty level. tions from the coronavirus.

If Mississippi were to expand Care must also be prioritized for jameson taylor Medicaid, this subsidized coverage those who have other life-threatenwould disappear for anyone earning ing events, such as a heart attack, a stroke between 100 percent and 138 percent of or an auto accident. Seen in this light, it be- the federal poverty level. Again, this covcomes clear that calls to expand Medicaid to erage is fully funded by the federal governable-bodied adults are, not only a sorry ex- ment. In addition, ample of political opportunism, but an im- Mississippi has moral and wasteful redistribution of health- one of the highcare resources that need to be safeguarded est EITC parfor more vulnerable populations. ticipation rates One of the most regrettable things about in the country. As the Obamacare Medicaid expansion is that of December 2019, it provides a 90 percent federal match to more than 350,000 states that expand Medicaid insurance to Mississippi individulow-income, able-bodied, working-age als and families received adults. That’s right – the expansion only $1 billion in ETIC subsidies. applies to adults who either can work or are This number will only increase as 2020 working and who are not disabled, not el- wears on. derly and who do not have children. Given Likewise, able-bodied, working-age that we have disabled children and elderly adults will be benefitting in numerous ways people on a Medicaid services waiting list, from generous waivers and payments being one would have thought that D.C. would offered by federal and state governments have provided a 90 percent match to cover in response to the coronavirus, including a these patients. massive increase in unemployment beneNo doubt, able-bodied adults with- fits as well as direct cash payments to every out insurance are at-risk of catching the American. The federal government is also coronavirus. But they are not, by defi- waiving all current SNAP work requirenition, a high-risk category. Moreover, ments, providing supplemental SNAP ben-

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and GMs across the land – was a rousing success for a sports starved world!

The 2020 NFL Draft established new all-time highs for media consumption in every category. And, most important, the event raised more than $100 million to benefit COVID-19 relief efforts across the country.

With more than 600 camera feeds from homes across the U.S., telecasts of the 2020 NFL Draft reached more than 55 million total viewers across Nielsen-measured channels over the three-day event, up 16% vs. 2019.

An average audience of more than 8.4 million viewers watched all three days of the 2020 NFL Draft across ABC, ESPN, NFL Network, ESPN Deportes, and digital channels, easily breaking the previous high of 6.2 million viewers in 2019 (up 35%).

All seven rounds of the 2020 NFL Draft were presented on ABC, ESPN, and NFL Network – the second straight year that The Walt Disney Company partnered

efits, expanding school meal and other food service programs, providing hundreds of millions more for the WIC food program, and sending tens of billions more to states to help pay for higher Medicaid costs. The Trump administration even withdrew a proposed rule aimed at reducing improper

lions more and is likely to get it.

Time will tell whether these investments will stimulate the economy or bankrupt the country. What is clear is that states, like Mississippi, will be experiencing budget shortfalls. What is also clear, as demonstrated in state after state that has expanded

Medicaid enrollment and fraud.

Already, we have increased the federal share of Mississippi Medicaid payments by 6.2 percent. This means that the current federal match for Medicaid has increased from a highestin-the-nation 76.98 percent to a still highest-in-the-nation 83.18 percent. Medicaid, Medicare and private insurers are also being reimbursed to offer free COVID-19 testing and related services. Uninsured patients can get tested at no-cost, thanks to an additional $1 billion set aside.

These payouts were dwarfed by the $2 trillion relief package which includes more than $100 billion for hospitals. The American Hospital Association is demanding bil-

Medicaid, is that the cost will be far more than projected. These costs, however, are only monetary. We have to acknowledge the human cost of expanding Medicaid.

Gold-standard research shows that expanding Medicaid increases the demand for healthcare services while delivering no improved physical health outcomes. Expanding Medicaid won’t make people healthier.

And it won’t get better care to people who have the coronavirus. Let’s save the debate over Medicaid expansion for after this crisis passes and instead focus on solutions we know will work.

with the National Football League to offer a multi-network presentation.

“I couldn’t be more proud of the efforts and collaboration of our clubs, league personnel, and our partners to conduct an efficient draft and share an unforgettable experience with millions of fans during these uncertain times,” said Commissioner Goodell. “This Draft is the latest chapter in the NFL’s storied history of lifting the spirit of America and unifying people. In addition to celebrating the accomplishments of so many talented young men, we were pleased that this unique Draft helped shine a light on today’s true heroes – the healthcare workers, first responders, and countless others on the front lines in the battle against COVID-19. We are also grateful to all those who contributed to the NFL family’s fundraising efforts.”

With more than 600 camera feeds in the homes of everyone from the commissioner, more than 85 draft prospects, head coaches, general managers, fans, college football coaches and many others, the 2020 NFL

» DR. JAMESON TAYLOR is Vice President for Policy for the Mississippi Center for Public Policy, the state’s non-partisan, free-market think tank.

draft offered unprecedented access to deliver the best possible experience.

It was a huge score for the NFL and sports fans of all stripes – but most importantly raised vitally needed funds for coronavirus relief. It was a win-win!

Don’t mess with the NFL, COVID-19!

Each week, The Spin Cycle will bestow a Golden Mic Award to the person, group or company in the court of public opinion that best exemplifies the tenets of solid PR, marketing and advertising – and those who don’t.

Stay tuned – and step-up to the mic! And remember …

Amplify Your Brand! » TODD SMITH is co-founder, president and chief executive officer of Deane | Smith, a full-service branding, PR, marketing and advertising firm with offices in Jackson. The firm – based in Nashville, Tenn. – is also affiliated with Mad Genius. Contact him at todd@deanesmithpartners.com, follow him @spinsurgeon and like the ageny on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/deanesmithpartners, and join us on LinkedInhttp://www.linkedin.com/company/deane-smith-&-partners.

security May 2 - May 15, 2020 • Mississippi Business Journal • www.msbusiness.com

Technological advances in electronic security systems growing exponentially

By NASH NUNNERY mbj@msbusiness.com

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hile the world waits out the COVID-19 coronavirus pandemic, the business of protecting Mississippians and their property proceeds without interruption.

By the time you finish reading this paragraph, at least one home in the U.S. has been burglarized. According to statistics from the Federal Bureau of Investigation, a home burglary occurs every 13 seconds.

Approximately 2.3 to 2.6 million burglaries

occur in the nation each year.

Jack Torrance, current president of the Mississippi Security Association, says the 96-member MSA is doing its part to keep Mississippians safe during (and after) Torrance the coronavirus crisis.

“At first, it was tough. Jobs were cancelling left and right because they didn’t want us in their home or business. However, after five weeks it seems to be picking up”, he said. “Since people are stuck at home, they’re getting systems installed, service calls done and 3G communicators upgraded since they are already home and don’t have to miss work to meet us.”

The MSA currently has 96 regular members.

Regular members are alarm contracting companies that provide electronic protective systems to commercial and residential locations in Mississippi.

All regular members must be licensed with the Mississippi State Fire Marshal’s Electronic Protection Systems.

MSA also boasts 33 associate members. Associate members are business entities that manufacture,

“We’ve already got the ability to drive distribute, supply, deal or sell products or up to your home and your system recogservices that relate to and are necessary to nizes your cell phone and instantly turns the MSA membership. off your alarm, opens the garage door, sets There are currently 356 licensed elecyour thermostat to 73 tronic security companies in the state. degrees, unlocks your Founded in 1982, the MSA began trainentry door and ing burglar and fire alarm technicians a cuts on certain year later using NTS curriculum, aclights,” he said. cording to MSA executive director “That’s called Shelley Pettit. a scene and we “Since then, we have added do that every day access control, CCTV and now. It’s just hard to security sales,” she said. imagine what we can “In 2020, the MSA do with video anTraining School alytics and voice was formed – we now offer Level 1 online and in the classroom. Many other courses are being reviewed and updated, and recognition in the will be added by the end of the next 20 years.” year.”

Choosing the right company to install The organization also offers continuing the right electronic security system in the education units for its membership. home is a matter of deduction, Torrance Torrance, who co-founded Flowoodsaid. based Global Sector Services with his “Ask your friends, relatives and neighbors brother in 1985, said technological advances in the industry have grown exponentially in who they used and if they are satisfied.

Then do your own research on social media the last 35 years. and Google, and see how all the reviews “There was a time when everything was look. Finally, choose a company that’s been a hard-wired security system. Now, just around for a while with a good reputation about everything is wireless. Cameras and in the community. home automation have also evolved tre“Shop locally first. Do your homework on mendously over the years,” he the company coming into your home said. “One advantage of According and make sure they are licensed and our association is each month we bring in to statistics have insurance,” he added.

Have requests for electronic different speakers to from the FBI, a our meetings to talk home burglary security systems risen in the last 5-10 years? Indeed, said Torrance. about the latest and occurs every “The only thing that stays the greatest new cut13 seconds. same is change. We’ll always have ting-edge technology crime, but lately it seems to be getting their particular company worse,” he said. “It used to be like pullhas to offer.

“It’s also a great opportunity at our meet- ing teeth to convince home owners they needed a security system. Now, that’s not a ings to network with other dealers to find problem. Just watch the news every night out what new technology their company is or read the newspaper. using and explain the benefits and why.”

“I don’t have exact statistics, but there’s Torrance believes the biggest future no doubt there’s a greater need for security advances in the industry will be in home and cameras than ever before.” automation.

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Cybersecurity awareness

How to protect yourself, your co-workers, and your patients.

By BECKY GILLETTE mbj@msbusiness.com

Takeaways: Healthcare data breaches reached record levels in April 2019, with 44 attacks affecting nearly 687,000 people.

Security breaches can lead to serious consequences, including complete system or network shutdown and life-and-death situations.

Much like we encourage patients to practice good personal hygiene to promote health and well-being, healthcare organizations and nurses must practice good cyber hygiene.

Cybersecurity has become a pressing issue in healthcare organizations. Each year, more organizations are targeted by individuals who want to gain access to protected health information (PHI) to file false insurance claims, buy medical many of which appear credible, may contain formation necessary to complete, implement, evaluate, and equipment, and order preembedded links that recipients are asked to revise the NIST framework profile. » Marti Jordan is a visiting assistant professor scription drugs. Healthcare click on. at the University of Southern Mississippi School data breaches reached record of Leadership and Advanced Nursing Practice in Another form of virtual access is a ransom- Assess levels in April 2019, with Hattiesburg, Mississippi. ware attack. Hospital operations have been shut Formal and informal risk assessments conducted by a 44 attacks affecting nearly down by these attacks, which invade network team of nurses and members of the information tech687,000 people. systems, encrypt data, take control of the system nology (IT) and health informatics staff should include Healthcare cybersecurity defends computers, servers, and lock it down, and then demand a ransom to decrypt the an inventory of hardware (computers, connected devicwearables, medical devices, and electronic health records es, and mobile devices), software (all programs installed data. Paying the ransom doesn’t ensure data restoration. and other sources of PHI from malicious attacks. Nurses on the network and used by everyone), applications, and who learn about cybersecurity, are aware of threats, remain data storage (onsite, off-site, and cloud storage). The asCyber hygiene alert to them, and are familiar with mitigation and incident Much like we encourage patients to practice good per- sessment should review how staff are currently trained response can help protect patients and organizations. on cybersecurity awareness and cyber hygiene best pracsonal hygiene to promote health and well-being, healthcare tices. In addition, the assessment should look for vulnerorganizations and nurses must practice good cyber hygiene. abilities at all levels and include interviews with nurses Consequences of cyberattacks Think of protecting PHI as primary prevention, conduct- about their cybersecurity awareness, understanding of Security breaches can lead to serious consequences, ining risk assessments and performing regular maintenance as cluding complete system or network shutdown and lifeSee CYBERSECURITY, Page 15 secondary prevention, and stabilizing and restoring systems and-death situations. For example, a hacked insulin pump after a cyberattack as tertiary prevention. could increase the insulin delivery rate, leading to severe In 2018, the National complications or death. An experienced hacker can exploit Institute of Standards and vulnerable computer networks in minutes, but recovery Technology (NIST) debuilding a security framework from cyberattacks can take years, damaging an organizaveloped a framework that tion’s reputation, future business, and short- and long-term can be used by any busifinances. Patients who are victims of medical theft will lose The National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) cybersecurity framework consists of ness, including healthcare hours of work and productivity while they try to restore and three parts: core, implementation tiers, and profile. organizations, to improve secure their stolen information. Many victims suffer emosecurity and resistance The framework core comprises five functions that provide a set of desired cybersecurity activities tionally and financially, and fear of future attacks can result and outcomes using common language that is easy to understand: against cyberattacks. in anxiety and stress. And if the breach was internal (perIDENTIFY — develop a broad overview of how the organization would manage a cyberattack The framework provides petrated by an employee), morale in the workplace could PROTECT — create and implement alternative systems to safeguard critical functions should a structural guidance that be affected. cyberattack occur organizations can use to DETECT — put activities in place for early identification of a cybersecurity event develop an individualized RESPOND — develop mitigation and incident response and implementation plans Types of attacks cybersecurity risk plan.

RECOVER — determine actions that may be required if a cyberattack occurs, including restoring Hackers gain access to devices physically and virtually.

(See Building a security systems.

Physical access is acquired by stealing portable devices or framework.) Organizaaccessing computers in public areas using stolen credentials.

The framework implementation tiers provide organizations with an overall view of their cybersetions can use the nursing Virtual access occurs when hackers send phishing and curity risk and the plan they have in place to manage it. process to design comprespear-phishing emails via networks to seek out personal inThe framework profile helps organizations evaluate their plan and risk considerations against the hensive reviews that allow desired outcomes described in the core. The profile can be used to identify areas for improvement. formation such as usernames and passwords. The emails, nurses to collect the inSource: nist.gov/cyberframework/new-framework

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security Firms

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security Firms

CYBERSECURITY

present recommendations. Based on these recommendations, changes may include removing outdated hardware, potential threats, and current knowledge, attitudes, and patching or removing software programs, writing policies and procedures, improving the current education probehaviors related to cybersecurity practices.

Finally, the assessment should include a formal review gram, developing a mitigation plan, consistently backing of the organization’s cybersecurity and cyber hygiene up data, and increasing annual employee training. An organization also may want to consider purchasing cybersepolicies and procedures. (See Protection review.) curity insurance. HealthITSecurity.com reported that on average it takes $1.4 protection review million to recover from a cyberattack.

Cyber insurance can help organizations cover some of the costs incurred during Healthcare organizations should have formal cybersecurity policies and procedures related to acceptable use, security awareness, information security, disaster recovery, change management, a breach; however, policies may not covincident response, remote access, personal devices, vendor access, and data backup. er all expenses, including replacing or repairing equipment damaged during • Acceptable use details the purpose of work computers and employee networks. attacks or subsequent litigation.

• Security awareness describes how an employee’s actions on the network may affect security and the privacy of others, as well as the personal health information housed in the network.

Helpful training includes recognizing • Information security provides information about data risk management and whom to contact for and avoiding phishing scams, practicing information technology security issues. good password management, following • Disaster recovery provides step-by-step details of the mitigation plan to reduce the severity of safe internet practices, and increasing the impact of a threat or attack.

• Change management informs employees about who will install updates and how they’ll be device safety.

Continued from, Page 13

notified about scheduled maintenance.

• Incident response contains step-by-step details about how the organization responds to a cybersecurity breach, including information about preparation, detection, analysis, containment, eradication, recovery, and postincident activity (for example, how well the team responded to the crisis and how quickly it secured the organization).

• Remote access explains the necessary safeguards required if the network must be accessed remotely, including virtual private network use and two-factor authorization.

• Personal device provides explicit guidelines for employees’ personal devices—laptops, tablets, smartphones, and USB drives—that are used for work.

• Vendor access determines how much access to the network vendors will be permitted and how they must access it.

• Data backup clarifies where data is stored, who has privileges to back up data, and how often data should be backed up.

Diagnose After the risk assessment is completed, the chief information officer or administrative leadership team should make a determination about the risk for a cyberattack and

Mitigate Even an initially small breach can eventually involve thousands of patients, making a mitigation plan important.

Sometimes a breach can be solved easily by shutting down a group of computers on one unit, but other times a more complicated solution—such as turning away patients and temporarily closing— may be required.

The quicker a problem is reported, the less damage will occur to the organization, so most mitigation plans require staff to immediately report an incident to the IT department. Mitigation plans should be followed exactly, and they require educating staff about the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act

breach notification rule, 45 CFR §§ 164.400-414, which requires that healthcare organizations notify individuals who are affected by a breach no later than 60 days after the occurrence. In some cases (for example, if more than 500 residents of one state are affected by a breach), organizations are required to notify media outlets and the secretary of the Department of Health and Human Services. Organizations also need to be aware of and follow any state requirements for reporting breaches.

Implement The goal of implementing a cybersecurity plan is to protect PHI. Similar to event drills for bioterrorism, active shooter, or mass casualties, mock cybersecurity exercises help organizations conduct a variety of scenarios and evaluate their preparedness for an attack. During the mock exercise, participants follow the incident response plan to understand their roles in the event of an attack and practice their response.

The organization also will be able to determine how well it responds to a crisis and secures information.

Evaluate A formal evaluation should be conducted immediately after a mock exercise or an actual cyberattack to determine what parts of the plan worked and what parts didn’t.

The evaluation may reveal areas of strength and weakness, as well as lessons learned. Ultimately, the organization should incorporate changes to ensure it’s always prepared and remains aware of and follows security best practices.

Be prepared Cyberattacks are increasing in frequency and severity.

Being aware of the most common attacks will improve nurses’ abilities to recognize, avoid, and respond to them.

And a framework that guides developing a cybersecurity risk plan specific to nursing will give nurses a better understanding of how to protect themselves, their coworkers, the organization, and their patients.

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Hackers and phishers haven’t taken a COVID-19 break and continue to be a major threat

By BECKY GILLETTE mbj@msbusiness.com

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he past couple months have seen a huge shift toward people working remotely in order to stem the spread of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). Despite widespread business disruption, hackers, spammers and phishers have not let up on efforts to wreak havoc on businesses.

“A hacker’s job is to hack,” said Marti Jordan, Ph.D., FNP-BC, a visiting assistant professor at the University of Southern Mississippi School of Leadership and Advanced Nursing Practice in Hattiesburg.

“They don’t take vacations. They work on computers so they are mobile and can work anywhere. Some work independent. Some work for others. They hack into organizations and steal information and get paid for doing that.”

Jordan said reports from security agencies and an ABC news report 2012 listed the most amount of malicious activity coming out of China with the U.S. second, Turkey third, and Russia fourth. Security agencies in 2019 reported the same along with Romania in the top 10.

Lack of cyberhygiene practices and human error is responsible for allowing compromises to network security in about 80 percent of the cases, said Jordan, who published an article about cybersecurity awareness in the February 2020 issue of American Nurse.

“This is often done by replying to phishing emails, clicking on links and opening attachments,” she said. “Something as simple as web browsing at work or online shopping can also allow hackers in.”

Some hackers now are sending emails to people that use threats and foul language alleging that they have caught you viewing pornography on the computer and saying they will publicly disclose that information unless you send them money. The emails sometimes include information about a password used.

While it is good idea not to reuse the same password, and change them frequently, Jordan said don’t fall for these kinds of threats. And know that it isn’t that difficult for someone to figure out passwords.

“There is a program you can access and ask it to pull peoples emails and passwords from previous emails,” Jordan said. “For example, a person I do research with and I put in @wesley.com and let the program run and an hour later had 300 people’s emails and passwords. Human nature leads us to reuse passwords or use the same password for more than one account. So that’s how they have the information to try to threaten you.

“And, yes, people fall for the threats because the emails look valid and like they are coming from a valid source. I can create an email that looks valid from anywhere. They will keep sending the email because they think eventually you will answer it.”

With remote meetings dramatically

increasing during the coronavirus emergency, some people may be new to the security involved with teleconferences. Jordan said the most common problems that caused Zoom meetings to be hacked were that the privacy settings for meetings were set to “public” instead of “private”. The details of the meeting were to be shared publicly (on a social media site such as Facebook or a tweet), and a password to enter the meeting was not being used.

“Again, this was because of a lack of cyberhygiene and human error,” Jordan said.

Some people use a password manager for all their accounts, which can make it harder for a hacker to guess passwords.

The National Institute for Standards and Technology (NIST) has not explicitly recommended the use of a PM. Jordan said NIST does have recommendations for creation of passwords if you do choose to use a password manager: use a long passcode for the master password to the PM and protect it from being stolen; create different, complex passwords for all different accounts you have; do not use PMs that allow you to recover your password; use MFA (multi-factor authentication) for PM applications; and use password generator options to create complex, random answers to security questions you are asked for online.

For many organizations, cybersecurity continues to be a challenge even when their employees are in their normal work setting, said Jay White, director, Security Services Division, Mississippi Department of Information Technology Services.

“The additional complexity introduced by transitioning the workforce to a telework environment does present additional cybersecurity concerns that must be addressed,” White said. “Organizations that have previously supported a telework option for a subset of their employees should have been better prepared to address the cybersecurity issues for expanding their telework footprint than those organizations that did not have previous experience.”

White said there are additional cybersecurity actions that

must be performed by both the organization and the employee for telework scenarios. Organizations must ensure that they take the appropriate steps for reducing the risk associated with providing employees the capability to work remotely.

These actions include updating policies and procedures, implementing cybersecuriWhite ty tools for protecting data and IT resources, providing cybersecurity awareness training specifically focusing on teleworking to employees, etc.

“Additionally, employees have the responsibility for maintaining a safe remote work environment to ensure that the organization’s assets are protected,” he said.

White said some organizations may feel the need to offer teleworking options to employees without weighing the risk associated with that decision. They may also choose the path of least resistance rather than investing in the time and resources needed to establish a robust strategy. But his advice is that an investment in securing a teleworking environment early on could save the organization a lot of time and money in the future.

“Organizations should also remember that security awareness training that provides users the information they need to increase the security posture of their telework environment is pivotal to the security health of the organization,” White said.

“They must also communicate the importance of the role that each employee has regarding the security of the organization.

Employees must remember that they have an obligation for protecting data and IT resources regardless of their work location.

Employees should never be afraid to ask questions if they have concerns about the security of their home office.”

In the past 15 years the tactics, techniques, and procedures leveraged by cyber attackers have evolved many times. White said an increase in both the sophistication and proliferation of attacks has overwhelmed many security teams.

“However, it is not uncommon for cyber attackers to continue to rely on older, less sophisticated attacks,” White said. “Cyber attackers will opt for the easiest method See CYBERSECURITY, Page 17

SECURITY

HACKERS

Continued from, Page 16

available for successfully infiltrating the organization. This means that organizations must not only focus on the latest attacks, but they also need to make sure that older vulnerabilities are remediated as well.”

As reported in the IBM X-Force Threat Intelligence Index 2020, two vulnerabilities with patches issued in 2017 were the most frequently used of the top eight vulnerabilities observed in 2019. Per the report, these vulnerabilities were used in nearly 90 percent of malspam messages despite being well-publicized and dated.

Cybercriminals are notorious for taking advantage of public health threats and other high-profile events (Olympics, natural disasters, royal weddings, etc.) in order to conduct malicious activities.

“Cybercriminals realize just how difficult it is for us to resist the desire to gain access to the most current information available,” White said. “Because it is available at our fingertips, we often neglect to ensure that the information is from a reliable source. Malicious scams related to COVID-19 have been sent via email, social media, text and phone messages, and websites. To avoid falling victim to these scams, users must remain vigilant and follow best practices.

Below are a few recommendations users can follow:

• Avoid clicking on links and attachments in unsolicited or unusual emails, text messages, and social media posts.

• Only utilize trusted sources, such as government websites, for accurate and factbased information pertaining to the pandemic situation.

• Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) recommends only visiting trusted sources for information such as coronavirus. gov, or your state and local government’s official websites (and associated social media accounts) for instructions and information specific to your community.

• NEVER give out your personal information, including banking information, Social Security Number, or other personally identifiable information over the phone or email.

• Always verify a charity’s authenticity before making donations. For assistance with verification, utilize the Federal Trade Commission’s (FTC) page on Charity Scams.

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MSU shares tips for a cyber security conscious workforce

By BECKY GILLETTE mbj@msbusiness.com

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ississippi State University (MSU) was already prepared in many ways for the pandemic with a cyber security conscious workforce and a significant number of faculty and staff who travel and work remotely.

“This was something that has not happened overnight, but rather is a security awareness culture we have tried to cultivate at Mississippi State University over time,” said MSU Chief Information Officer Parrott Steve Parrott.

Parrott said assuring cyber security at MSU takes action on a number of different fronts: • A remote workforce highlights the importance of two-factor authentication. Two-factor authentication adds a second layer of security when logging into MSU systems. The first factor is something you know, your NetID/ Netpassword. The second factor is something you have, your mobile device or a security token. On July 24, 2017, ITS enabled two-factor authentication for faculty and staff, and on January 15, 2019, two-factor authentication was made mandatory for all students. Email credential phishing was a major and constant security problem before two-factor authentication deployment. Users would regularly give away login credentials and two-factor authentication is the best mitigation available.

• Regular cyber security training.

MSU hosts a campus cybersecurity week annually and online self-paced Information Security Training is a requirement for employees who use a computer on the job.

• Virtual Private Network. MSU restricts external access to many of its computer services and requires access via our VPN client. (two-factor protected) • Remote Desktop Protocol (RDP) – many employees don’t have a home machine capable of doing the work required and want to securely connect via our VPN to their office machine.

MSU has received a large number of RDP employee requests since the stay-athome order.

• Disk encryption. MSU already had a policy that all laptops that contain sensitive data must be encrypted. However, many users did not have a computer at all in the home and needed to use MSU desktop equipment. MSU worked hard to encrypt such computers to ensure that a single computer theft could not put sensitive information at risk.

• Secure Videoconferencing – MSU had already procured a secure videoconferencing solution for all students, staff and faculty in 2018. There has been significant press about the increased incidents of “Zoom-bombing” and other security issues related to video conferencing. Many of these issues are related to wide open configuration settings. The MSU solution is integrated with a cloudbased learning management system and

starts with more locked/secure defaults in classroom settings.

Parrott shared some specific issues for home users: • Keep personal machines patched with automatic update enabled • Make sure your personal accounts are protected via two-factor authentication, Google, Microsoft, Yahoo, etc. all support two-factor authentication • Make sure your home network is secure and not configured with a default password • Make sure family and friends understand they cannot use your work equipment “The essence of much of cyber security training is that common sense is your best protection,” Parrott said. “If an email, phone call or online message seems odd, suspicious or too good to be true, it could well be an attack.”

financial planning May 2 - May 15, 2020 • Mississippi Business Journal • www.msbusiness.com

Business owners turn to financial advisers to stay afloat

By LISA MONTI mbj@msbusiness.com

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n a matter of weeks, businesses from Main Street to shopping malls were facing major disruption as the coronavirus pandemic began unfolding.

Owners responded by cutting back operations, closing or adapting to new ways of operating, mainly online, to try to manage.

Now, financial help is available in the form of loans, and some business owners are turning to their financial advisors to navigate the new resources and rules to make the most of what’s available and stay afloat.

Michelle Mabry, president and managing partner of Client 1st Advisory Group in Hattiesburg, said she devoted a few weeks working 8 hours a day researching the Coronavirus Aid, Relief,

Mabry

and Economic Security (CARES) Act which provides more than $2 trillion of economic aid to workers and businesses.

She then reached out to her clients to discuss what they needed to do and not do regarding their personal and business finances, including retirement investments and job loss. She also helped her business clients find the appropriate bankers to go to to access economic relief.

Mabry said the Payroll Protection Program (PPP) was the biggest benefit of the CARES Act, offering forgivable loans for payroll, rent and utilities so small businesses could keep the doors open and their employees on the payroll. “The whole idea behind hat is to prevent layoffs and pay employees so that everybody can continue to get paid. You can even apply if you are self employed,” she said.

Mabry said another resource for businesses experiencing temporary loss of revenue is the Economic Injury Disaster Loan advance of up to $10,000.

The loan advance will not have to be repaid.

Gary James, vice president of Summit Wealth Group and a financial advisor for Summit’s Meridian office, offered a checklist of advice. “The first thing is to be sure you apply for the PPP loan,” said James. “Your bank can guide you through the process. If you have a loan available, take advantage of it to improve your cash position.”

James But, he further advised, “If you do get a PPP loan, be sure you work with your accountant or someone else who knows the law to be sure you get as much loan forgiveness as possible. There are strict guidelines to have the loans forgiven, and you

want to have as much forgiven as possible. Consult with someone to make sure you spend the money on things that qualify for forgiveness.”

Secondly, James said, remember that cash is king. “Keep as much cash as you possibly can,” he said. “If you’ve been paying extra on your mortgage, don’t pay extra right now. Pay the minimum and move on. You can catch back up later.”

James also advises to reach out to vendors and be honest with them about your situation. After all, they share an interest in your business surviving. “I’d recommend you contact all the vendors you may have, and people you owe debt to and ask them if you can forgo payments for a period of time. Some may be doing this already voluntarily. They want to work with you if you’re honest with them. Try to work it out.”

James further recommends looking after your employees by reassuring them and encouraging them so they don’t get frustrated with trying to access resources such as unemployment.

“Encourage them to continue to apply for unemployment. The system is so backed up now but encourage them to continue to apply for unemployment,” he said.

James said he knows of one business that has someone available in the office to help walk employees through the process because they want to keep their employees close by. “It’s more likely they will be around when you need them back. Good employees are hard to find. Help them to survive,” he said.

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Financial planning during the epidemic

By LYNN LOFTON mbj@msbusiness.com

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s the volatile financial and medical environment have the country in their grip, financial advisers across the state are doing their best to calm clients.

All say it's a tough time and advice is based on clients' specific situations.

Matt Ballew of Ballew Wealth Management began his company in 1979 and says the corona virus has put a wrinkle in the economy that no one knows how to judge. “There are Ballew lots of questions and the market is still not cheap,” he said. “I feel there's a lot of financial engineering which is not good in the short term.”

Does he advise clients to sit tight? “That depends on your amount of money and your needs,” he said. “I like commodities, cash and short duration treasuries at this

moment. Commodities are the cheapest asset class. Overall, I'm cautious and staying alert.”

Scott Reed of Hardy Reed LLC says anyone in the financial world long enough was probably expecting some kind of bear market. “That's when people get nervous and sell—an emotional response— but no one saw that a medical crisis would take down the market,” he said, “and we don't know how to deal with it. 1918 was the last time something like this happened but it's different now in the way people have responded to it and the government shutdown.”

He believes the market will rebound and reach new highs.

“My advice to clients is very personal. Take a real strong look at your money and your Reed

time factor,” he said. “If you will need money soon, you shouldn't be in equity markets. If you don't need it for five, 10 or 20 years, you need to wait it out.”

Reed, whose company is headquartered in Tupelo with several offices in other north Mississippi cities, admits that knowing when to get in and when to get out of the market are hard to decide. “We don't know what the market will do in the short term; timing is key,” he said. “Equities are up 70 percent of the time and I'm confident in them. I think I'm pretty realistic, which makes me optimistic. The good news is that there seems to be a lot of underlying support for this market. The most important thing I tell people is to get the bucket you put your money in right. How much do you need for security? How much do you need for the short term?”

Dudley Barnes of Barnes Petty Financial is in his fifth decade in this business and has spent a lot of time looking at past epidemics. “This one is different and looking past the pandemic looks bleak,” he said. “We're trying to get our clients prepared and I do have two tips: don't bet against the feds and don't bet against science.”

Barnes sees something positive in the way the market has made a fast recovery after the middle of March. “Every person should have recovered about half of their losses now. If they give back some of these gains, it will be a time to buy, not sell,” he said. “I don't see any reason not to be upbeat.”

Headquartered in Clarksdale, Barnes looks to health care and technology as growth sectors. “We've been proactive in changing some bond strategy and proactive in extreme pessimism in pricing,” he said.

“It's an ugly reality but we will get through this; we just must be wise.”

Barnes

Hancock Whitney donates $2.5 million to help the most vulnerable in South Mississippi

By BECKY GILLETTE mbj@msbusiness.com

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any of Hancock’s branches were destroyed in Hurricane Katrina, but the bank set up card tables and tents in parking lots to give people access to money in their accounts. They even made millions in loans on Post-It notes.

Since then Hancock acquired Whitney Bank. And now Hancock Whitney has stepped up to the plate to help with the economic disruption from the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic. The bank has donated $2.5 million to help some of the Gulf South’s most vulnerable people.

Food pantries have received $1 million of that donation.

“The support from Hancock Whitney, especially during this time, is truly transformative for us to be able to meet this increase in demand we are seeing,” said Cyndy Baggett, vice president of development and marketing for Feeding the Gulf Coast. “The generosity is going to help us provide an additional 500,000 meals in those Mississippi communities that need

help right now. We are just very grateful to Hancock Whitney for being a source of support and hope during this time.”

The need for the services provided by food banks has soared Baggett since schools and many businesses closed because of the pandemic.

Web traffic to Feeding the Gulf Coast’s website has been up 1,100 percent.

An estimated 35,000 additional people need food assistance in eight South Mississippi counties. There were already about 85,000 residents considered food insecure.

“It has demonstrated how fragile many people in the community are,” Baggett said. “We saw a little of this in the government shutdown this past year. So many people live paycheck-to-paycheck. If they have one missed paycheck, they have difficult decisions to make about whether they buy food or pay for rent, utility bills and medicine. The disruption of work

has made all the difference in the world between stability and hunger. Children are now home from school, which wasn’t anticipated. Parents have to provide additional meals. All those things can impact what was a fragile budget.”

Baggett said not everyone has qualified to take advantages of financial help through the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act. They might not qualify for unemployment and other assistance.

Hancock Whitney Bank Mississippi Regional President Emory Mayfield said the bank’s first priority is to serve the communities where the bank operates.

“When we are going through such a challenging time like we are now, it is our way to give back to the community and help them navigate through these uncertain times,” Mayfield said. “Our role in the community is something we take very seriously. We are in touch with community leaders and they are letting us know where the needs of the community are the greatest. An estimated 12,000 families will be helped by the food bank donation. We partnered with Feeding the Gulf Coast because it partners with many different food kitchens and pantries in the region. They have a far greater sense of where the need is the greatest than we

could here at the bank.”

The bank also provided $600,000 for supplies to help protect residents in some of the hardest hit and low-to-moderate-income communities and first responders.

They also donated $800,000 for housing relief, including making donations used to pay for legal resources to help disadvantaged individuals fight illegal evictions.

“Suddenly, many people are without a job and have a mortgage to pay,” Mayfield said.

“We were just very concerned that these lowto moderate-income people would be taken advantage of. We wanted to provide housing relief so they could stay in their homes while we are going through this.

We provide legal counsel to them if they were being illegally evicted.

Our partners in the community felt this was Mayfield a really big issue, and a place where we could play a role.”

And $100,000 was donated to the Hancock Whitney Associate Assistance Fund, which is in addition to $400,000 bank board members, executives, and associates who See HANCOCK WHITNEY, Page 21

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FINANCIAL PLANNING

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Restaurants turn to neighborhoods during downturn

By JACK WEATHERLY jack.weatherly@msbusiness.com

S Cathead donates $75,000 to Foodways Alliance

T

he Southern Foodways Alliance at the University of Mississippi has received $75,000 from the founders of Mississippi-based Cathead Distillery, whose efforts during the COVID-19 crisis are making statewide impact.

The gift from Cathead owners Austin Evans and Richard Patrick will support the writing, editing and sharing of 15 essays on the contemporary South from members of the creative community and the food and beverage industry.

“We strongly value the work of the Southern Foodways Alliance and what it does for the

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have already contributed to help Hancock Whitney associates affected by the pandemic.

“Our employees are not immune from this, either,” Mayfield said. “So, we have the Associate Assistance Fund that goes toward helping bank associates who are facing tough times. Maybe a spouse or partner has lost his or her job, or is impacted in other ways. This crisis impacts virtually everyone. It is challenging for us all. If you have two parents working with young children, what do you do when schools and day care centers are closed? How do you provide for them? That assistance fund is designed for those types of issues.”

Another ongoing effort is hiring local restaurants to provide individually-wrapped meals to healthcare professionals caring for COVID-19 patients. More than 8,000 meals have been delivered through the effort that helped restaurants stay open and pay hundreds of employees while emphasizing Hancock Whitney’s gratitude to healthcare heroes.

“Just in Mississippi alone, we serviced 12 hospitals from the Coast to Jackson,” Mayfield said. “Everyone benefitted from it. We wanted to make sure those on front lines–the real heroes as we have gone through this–had food and knew there were people who cared.”

Southern community,” Patrick said in a release.

“We hope our gift will help achieve long-term sustainability and overall increased knowledge about the industry.”

These essays will examine the realities of life in the contemporary South, said John T. Edge, SFA director.

The SFA had announced its 2020 focus – to document, study and explore the future of the South – even before the region began to struggle against challenges presented by COVID-19.

“Now, more than ever, conversations around the evolving South are important,” Patrick said.

Hancock Whitney President and CEO John M. Hairston said all of us are in this fight together to protect our loved ones, clients, colleagues, and communities from this virus.

“This pandemic is creating real, significant challenges for so many people in terms of adequate food, income, basic safeguards against the virus, and housing to shelter in place,” Hairston said. “Hancock Whitney has very deep roots in the communities we serve. It’s simply the right thing to do what we can so that together we help keep people safe and our communities strong.”

Hairston said countless individuals and organizations are doing extraordinary things in the battle to beat COVID-19.

“We thank them,” he said. “We salute them. We are also very grateful to our Hancock Whitney teams who have remained steadfastly committed to clients throughout this situation. Together, we can support each other, invest in our communities, reopen our hometowns, rebuild our businesses, and create a great future.”

A special page at www.hancockwhitney. com/covid19 offers timely updates on Hancock Whitney’s locations and operations, resources, fraud prevention tips, and ongoing direct assistance available for people and businesses suffering financial impacts from the pandemic, including fee waivers, loan payment deferrals, and SBA loans.

ome restaurants have taken deliveries one step further by making visits to neighborhoods.

The strategy is enabling them to partially offset losses due to the corona virus pandemic lockdown And some of them may continue to use the strategy after the pandemic passes.

Penn’s even prepares its fish and chicken on site.

Penn’s, which was founded by Roger Penn in 1967 and now has a number of stores, has been able to adapt its catering service to the realities of providing food

likewise making neighborhood-based deliveries. 4Top includes Amerigo, Anjou, Saltine, Char and Sombre in the Jackson area, as well as in Nashville.

Ali Gensert, director of marketing for 4Top, works with homeowners associations, as do other restaurants, which post the location and time for the visits via social media. The customers, who pay in advance, simply do a “drive-through” for pickups, Gensert said.

She said that the orders for family meals range from 10 to 30.

John Bullard, marketing director for Fresh Market Cafe and Bumpers, said that he concentrates on lunches and that orders can be placed the day of delivery.

» Customers line up to pay at Penn's food truck in Natchez Trace Village.

during the highly contagious outbreak across the nation and world.

Catering customers such as corporations and events such as the Mississippi State Fair, the Neshoba County Fair and the Canton Flea Market were canceled because of the virus.

The company lost more than 60 contracts when the virus surfaced in March, Michael Penn said.

But the public reached out to Penn’s, said Michael Penn, who with his brother, Mark, operate the catering service.

Plus, five of the six Penn’s restaurants closed, one reopened and now four are operating on a drive-through basis.

“We roll up in there, and we know about how many people they’re going to have because of the housing counts,” he said. It takes a commitment of 100 households and has reached 600, he said.

Usually, dinner is served starting between 5 p.m. and 5:30 p.m.

Despite the neighborhoods success, it has not measured up to the contracts with companies and events, he said.

Gov. Tate Reeves on Monday loosened the restrictions on eateries, allowing customers to dine in restaurants, as long as it does not exceed 50 percent capacity.

Jackson-based 4Top Hospitality is

Photo by Jack Weatherly

There is no minimum, he said, adding that they have ranged from 20 to 60 orders.

Primos Cafe and Bakery Director of Operations Kenya Parks said while the “new normal” is not something restaurants would have ordered up, “we have been blessed.” Orders have ranged from 16 to 40, with more than one person per order, she said.

When the lockdown began in March, Primos had to lay off part-time workers, Parks said, but they have been paid their normal minimum wage of $7.50 an hour, plus another $2 per hour. Those on duty get the same, plus tips, she said. Primos has locations in Flowood, Madison and Ridgeland.

Restaurants are only required to pay servers $2.13 per hour, not including tips.

As to the future for the new method of delivery, outlooks vary.

“If it’s profitable, why wouldn’t you?” said Fresh Market Cafe and Bumpers’ Bullard.

4Top’s Gensert said the arrangement would last at least till the end of the month, but it could continue beyond that “if there is interest.”

Michael Penn said, “We’re going to keep doing the neighborhood thing” after the lockdown is lifted.

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Millsaps College students to return to campus for fall semester

A

lthough Millsaps College students spent the last month of the 2020 spring academic term utilizing remote instruction in conjunction with the COVID-19 pandemic, the college is gearing up for an on-campus residential experience in August, as well as planning to support remote instruction options in all classes for any students who are unable to return to campus.

“We expect at least some of our students will not be able to return to campus for a variety of personal reasons, including potentially their health or the health of a family member,” says Millsaps College President Dr. Rob Pearigen. “Our faculty are working tirelessly to offer a high-quality educational experience to adequately serve all of our students for the upcoming semester.”

Millsaps College Provost Dr. Keith Dunn agrees. “Multi-model instruction is the right solution to enable Millsaps to be responsive to the needs of all our students,” says Dunn. “While we hope the majority of them will be with us in the classroom, we cannot leave behind those students who are unable to do so. Our faculty are fully engaged and committed to the success of our students, regardless of how COVID-19 has impacted their living situations. Each class will also include

a continuity of instruction plan should a faculty member become incapacitated.”

In addition to committing to both on-campus and remote instruction for all classes during the upcoming semester, Pearigen has formed six planning groups to assist with the many facets of the college’s on-campus COVID-19 response.

Planning group membership includes a broad range of Millsaps stakeholders from the ranks of students, faculty, staff, alumni and trustees and are focused on the academic program; commencement and special events; community life including Division III athletics; finances; instructional technology and services; and return-to-campus preparations.

In a statement following its virtual May meeting, the Millsaps College Board of Trustees expressed its appreciation for the flexibility and patience of the college’s students, stating in part, “As the country looks toward a brighter but still uncertain future, we expect that students will return to campus for a residential experience beginning in August, and we fully support the efforts of the college to safely reach that objective. We express our thanks to all in our extended community for their support of our students during this difficult time and look forward to gathering together in fellowship in the near future.”

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Southern Bone and Joint Specialists names human resources director

Southern Bone and Joint Specialists, P.A. has announced Katie Bennett, SHRM-CP, sHRBP as its human resources director.

Bennett, who has 10 years experience in human resources, will oversee the organizational benefit and human resource programs, from planning and design through Bennett implementation. She serves as the major resource person for all aspects of benefits and human resource policies including the timely dissemination of new or revised HR policies, job descriptions, benefits, and other HR information. She is responsible for employment applications, screens applicants and interviews staff.

Bennett received her bachelor of science degree in human resource management from the University of Southern Mississippi.

David J. Hebert joins Neel-Schaffer

Neel-Schaffer, Inc., has announced that David J. Hebert, PE, has joined the firm’s Baton Rouge office and will serve as Structural Engineer Manager for Neel-Schaffer’s Southwest Region offices in Louisiana and South Texas.

Hebert has nearly 25 years of experience as a Civil/ Structural Engineer Manager, working for several other Hebert consulting firms, including a stint with N-S early in his career. He has extensive experience in highway bridge design, bridge foundation design and industrial structures design and project management.

“We are excited to have David re-join the Neel-Schaffer team,” said Jerry Trumps, Executive Vice President for Neel-Schaffer’s Southwest Region. “He brings a wealth of experience in bridge design and industrial structures design that will help us provide continued excellent service to existing clients and grow these services throughout the region.”

Hebert is a Registered Professional Engineer in Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama, Florida, Arkansas, Texas and Missouri. He earned a Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering from Louisiana State University.

Forrest General names first DAISY Award winner Ashley Harris, an LPN at Forrest General Hospital, has been selected the hospital’s first recipient of the DAISY Award. The award will be presented monthly to a deserving nurse who exemplifies clinical expertise and compassionate care and is recognized as a role model Harris

in the nursing community.

Harris was one of 10 finalists for this inaugural award and had already been presented a DAISY Award pin, along with other finalists, which included: Kayla Lynn Murillo, RN, 5T; Beverly Collier, RN, Cath Lab; Dawn Smith, RN, Radiology; Mikia Simpson, RN, Home Care; Mary Dieckman, RN, Education; Naomi Bridgers, RN, Education; Bethany Jackson, RN, ICU; Crystal Dewease, RN, 4FB, and Audra Delancy, RN, Epic.

Mississippi’s Ryan Bradley joins Gulf Seafood Foundation board

Ryan Bradley, a fifth-generation fisherman who serves as executive director of Mississippi Commercial Fisheries United (MSCFU) and owner of Sea Alis Seafood Company, has joined the Board of Directors of the Gulf Seafood Foundation.

Bradley replaces longtime Mississippi director Jennifer Jenkins, owner of Crystal Seas Oysters in Pass Christian, who resigned afBradley ter the death of her father.

“The Gulf Seafood Foundation has been a leader in serving our fishermen and seafood community,” said Bradley. “For many years, the organization has done a great supporting and promoting the Gulf seafood industry. I am honored to join this prestigious board and offer any help I can. I am sure this will be very beneficial for what we have going on here in Mississippi, as well as our efforts in Washington.”

“We are pleased to welcome Ryan onto the board,” said Jim Gossen, president of the Gulf Seafood Foundation. “We are impressed at the results he has gotten advocating in Washington for both the Mississippi and Gulf seafood industries on numerous issues. We are looking forward to adding our voice to his in this advocacy.”

Mississippi Commercial Fisheries United works collaboratively with the Louisiana Shrimp Association, Gulf of Mexico Reef Fish Shareholders Alliance, Share The Gulf, MS/AL Sea Grant, and multiple academic institutions and researchers throughout the Gulf. It has built relationships with state and federal elected officials to ensure healthy marine ecosystems along with fair and equitable seafood access for America’s countless seafood consumers.

Bradley spends a lot of his time in Washington educating legislators on the need to reform of the fisheries disaster process. He says his State is becoming used to disasters and is handling the Covid-19 crisis in stride. However, the State’s fishing community is still reeling from the 2019 Louisiana Bonnet Carre Spillway opening for more than 200 days that completely destroyed numerous seafood operations.

NEWSMAKERS

May 2 - May 15, 2020

St. Louis Fed appoints Mortimer to Community Banking Advisory Council Bertram “Buddy” Mortimer, president and CEO of the Bank of Kilmichael, is one of six appointees by the Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis to its Community Depository Institutions Advisory Council. The council advises St. Louis Fed President James Bullard on the credit, banking and economic conditions facing council members’ institutions and local communities.

» Four generations of the same family have operated the Bank of Kilmichael. From left are Rodney K. Mortimer, chairman; Bertram S. (Buddy) Mortimer, president & CEO, and Rodney’s son, Kent Mortimer, senior vice president. the painting in this photo is Lagrone Mortimer, Buddy and and Rodney’s father and Kent’s grandfather.

Good News is worth repeating

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Bird Promoted to Chief Financial Officer at Adams and Reese

Adams and Reese recently announced that Dana F. Bird, CPA, has been promoted to Chief Financial Officer. Bird, who joined Adams and Reese in 2016 as Controller, is based in the firm’s New Orleans office.

As CFO, Bird heads dayto-day financial management of the firm and oversees all accounting and finance Bird activities.

Prior to joining Adams and Reese, Bird served as the Accounts Payable Manager at the University of New Orleans. She was previously an Auditor with Jacobson and Adler, LLC in Metairie, as well as Senior Controller at Rutterrex, Inc., and has held other accounting and finance roles within local and regional companies in the New Orleans and Lake Charles areas.

Bird received her Bachelor of Science in Accounting, cum laude, from the University of New Orleans in 1981. She is an active Certified Public Accountant.

Cambria Solutions taps Jeter to lead strategic growth

Blake Jeter has been promoted to Executive Director of Strategic Growth for Cambria Solutions, an IT consulting and management firm that works closely with the Mississippi state government. Jeter will focus on building Cambria’s business along strategic growth areas, managing the progression of the firm’s investments in repeatable solutions, and driving capabilities and expansion in emerging trends and new geographies.

Jeter’s efforts to-date have Jeter contributed to double-digit year-over-year growth, building high-performing teams, and cultivating strategic partnerships with clients and other vendors.

He specifically helped establish Cambria Solutions’ Mississippi and Louisiana offices and while Jeter will continue to serve as principal over some projects in Mississippi, he will now be focused on growing Cambria’s most strategic business areas across the nation.

Jeter earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Biomedical Engineering from Mississippi State University.

Delta State School of Nursing’s online RN to BSN program ranks among the best Delta State University’s Robert E. Smith School of Nursing ranks third for best online RN to BSN Programs in Mississippi in 2020, according to RegisteredNursing.org. This marks the third consecutive year that Delta State’s School of Nursing measures high on the statewide list.

“Geared toward professional registered nurses striving for management roles in hospitals and healthcare settings, the online RN-to-BSN program through Delta State University has a leadership focus. Courses in the top-rated program are scheduled in a flexible format so they are achievable and within reach for working nurses,” write the assessors, a Carlsbad, Calif.-based advocacy group of registered nurses. “Students are permitted to take clinicals at settings that are near their home or work for added convenience. The RN-to-BSN includes a management practicum so students gain practical leadership experience.”

Criteria included tuition and fees, ratio of tenured faculty, and ratio of total nurse program completions vs. total program completions awarded by the institution, among other factors.

“We are honored that the RN-BSN program has been recognized again by this organization,” said Dr. Vicki Bingham, dean of Delta State’s School of Nursing. “The faculty of this program work diligently to ensure these registered nurses are equipped with the knowledge and skills to meet the needs of the current healthcare workforce.”

This year’s results continues longstanding positive evaluation of Delta State’s School of Nursing.

For the previous two years, it ranked second in Mississippi for best online RN to BSN programs, per RegisteredNursing.org. Earlier top rankings for DSU’s RN to BSN program include No. 1 in the country in 2015 by RNtoBSN.org and No. 1 in the state in 2017 by RNtoBSNOnlineProgram.com. Also, College Choice rated it No. 2 most affordable in 2016.

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Mississippi State alumnus Saunders Ramsey is the new executive director of the MSU Campus Services.

The position includes oversight of planning, design, and construction of all major capital projects; maintenance, repair, and custodial services for over 100 university buildings; maintenance of more than 1,500 acres of campus landscape; as well Ramsey

as maintenance, repairs, and construction of MSU’s utilities distribution infrastructure.

He joins MSU from Neel-Schaffer, where he led the engineering, planning and construction management firm’s Starkville office.

A Starkville native and former captain of the MSU baseball team, Ramsey earned a bachelor’s degree in civil engineering from MSU in 2005. In 2009, he received his master’s degree in civil engineering from the University of Memphis.

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